Danilo praises Juventus, Ronaldo and Ancelotti

Danilo, the 34‑year‑old Brazilian midfielder, spoke to The Athletic about his time at Juventus FC as he prepares for his third World Cup. He is now a Flamengo player after fourteen years in Europe. He described his Juventus spell as a pivotal chapter that shaped his personality and career. He said his children grew up in Turin, that he was treated well by the people, and that he tried to give back. Danilo recalled sharing the pitch with Gianluigi Buffon, Leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini, learning how Italians live and play football with passion and resilience. He highlighted the influence of those defenders on his own style. On Cristiano Ronaldo, Danilo said the Portuguese forward was more experienced in Turin but still scored many goals and remained professional at all times. He added that Ronaldo lives for football and strives to improve every day. Danilo compared Ronaldo’s humility to that of Ancelotti, calling the coach “like Cristiano” in his ability to stay grounded despite fame. He said Ancelotti has won a lot but works as if he has won nothing. The interview also noted that Danilo will appear before the Serie A match between Juventus FC and US Lecce on 3 January 2026 in Turin. The match is part of the Italian top‑flight season. Danilo sees the upcoming World Cup as his final opportunity to add an international trophy to a résumé that already includes league titles in Portugal, Spain, England and Italy. He views the tournament as the ultimate test before ending his playing career.